Written By Dr Charlotte Keigwin
Key Takeaways:
- The Wegovy tablet (oral semaglutide) is the first GLP-1 tablet licensed in the UK for weight loss.
- It contains the same active ingredient as the Wegovy injection and achieved an average weight loss of 13.6% in clinical trials when used alongside lifestyle changes.
- The tablet suits people who prefer not to inject, but it must be taken on an empty stomach each morning.
- Mounjaro generally produces greater average weight loss, but the right treatment depends on your individual needs and medical assessment.
- Common side effects include nausea, diarrhoea and constipation, which often improve over time.
- Medical supervision is essential to ensure the treatment is safe, appropriate and effective.
The UK has entered a new chapter in obesity treatment with the approval of the first GLP-1 tablet specifically licensed for weight management: Wegovy tablet (oral semaglutide). For many people, this represents an exciting alternative to weekly injections, offering the same active ingredient as the Wegovy pen in a simple daily tablet.
At Self London, we believe the best weight loss treatment is the one that fits a patient’s lifestyle, preferences, and health goals. While injections remain the most familiar option, the arrival of oral semaglutide gives patients another highly effective, evidence-based choice.
What is the Wegovy tablet?
The Wegovy tablet contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that works by reducing appetite, increasing feelings of fullness, and helping people consume fewer calories.
Semaglutide has been available for several years as a once-weekly injection, but the new oral formulation represents an important milestone. For many patients, the opportunity to take a tablet rather than administer an injection each week may remove one of the biggest barriers to starting treatment.
The tablet was approved by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in June 2026, making it the first GLP-1 tablet licensed specifically for weight loss in the UK.
How effective is oral semaglutide for weight loss?
The approval of the Wegovy tablet was based on the international OASIS 4 clinical trial, which followed patients for 64 weeks while combining medication with structured lifestyle support.
In the analysis that most closely reflects real-world clinical practice, participants taking oral semaglutide lost an average of 13.6% of their starting body weight, compared with just 2.4% in those receiving placebo. Patients who remained on treatment throughout the study achieved even greater average weight loss, demonstrating the importance of adherence and gradual dose escalation.
These results place the Wegovy tablet amongst the most effective weight loss tablets available in the UK and are broadly comparable with the weight loss seen with injectable Wegovy in earlier clinical trials.
As with all medical weight loss treatments, individual results vary. Factors such as dose tolerance, adherence to treatment, nutrition, exercise and underlying health conditions all influence outcomes.
Tablet or injection: which is better?
There is no universal answer. Instead, the decision should be based on your lifestyle, medical history and personal preferences.
For many people, taking a tablet feels more familiar and less intimidating than using an injectable medication. It removes concerns about needles, bruising and injection technique, making treatment feel more accessible. Tablets are also straightforward when travelling, as they do not require refrigeration or the disposal of sharps.
However, oral semaglutide does require careful administration. To ensure the medication is absorbed properly, it must be taken first thing in the morning after an overnight fast, with only a small amount of plain water. Patients must then wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking any other medications. These instructions are essential because food and other drinks significantly reduce the absorption of the medication.
Weekly injections offer greater flexibility. They can be administered at any time of day, with or without food, and many patients find it easier to remember one injection each week than a tablet every morning. For individuals with busy or unpredictable routines, this simplicity may improve long-term adherence.
Ultimately, the most effective treatment is the one that fits comfortably into your everyday life.
How does it compare with the Wegovy injection?
One of the biggest surprises from the OASIS programme is that oral semaglutide appears broadly comparable to injectable semaglutide in terms of weight loss when taken consistently and escalated to the target dose.
For patients who dislike needles, this is potentially game-changing.
How does the Wegovy tablet compare with Mounjaro (tirzepatide)?
Another common question is how oral semaglutide compares with Mounjaro (tirzepatide).
Although both medications reduce appetite and improve metabolic health, they work slightly differently. Semaglutide targets the GLP-1 receptor, whereas tirzepatide activates both GLP-1 and GIP receptors.
Clinical studies consistently show that tirzepatide produces greater average weight loss than semaglutide. In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, participants receiving higher doses of tirzepatide achieved average weight loss approaching 20% of their starting body weight. By comparison, oral semaglutide produced average weight loss of around 13.6% in the OASIS 4 trial, while injectable Wegovy has demonstrated average reductions of approximately 15% in previous studies.
While these figures are useful when comparing treatments, they should not be viewed in isolation. The best medication is not necessarily the one associated with the greatest average weight loss in a clinical trial. Long-term success depends on choosing a treatment that is well tolerated, clinically appropriate and realistic for each patient’s lifestyle.
Cardiovascular benefits: there is more to the story than weight loss
One of the most important developments in obesity medicine has been the recognition that weight loss medications may improve long-term health outcomes, not just body weight.
Semaglutide has the strongest cardiovascular outcomes data in people with obesity without diabetes.
The landmark SELECT trial studied over 17,000 adults with overweight or obesity and established cardiovascular disease, but without diabetes. Treatment with semaglutide reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death, by 20%.
This is a significant milestone because it shows semaglutide is not simply helping people lose weight; it is helping to reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events in high-risk individuals.
Tirzepatide has shown promising cardiovascular and heart failure benefits, including positive outcomes in people with obesity and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. However, direct cardiovascular outcome evidence specifically demonstrating superiority over semaglutide is not yet established.
What side effects should you expect?
The side effects of oral semaglutide are similar to those seen with injectable Wegovy. Most patients experience mild to moderate gastrointestinal symptoms during the early stages of treatment or following dose increases. Nausea is the most common complaint, although vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal discomfort and reduced appetite may also occur.
Fortunately, these symptoms usually improve as the body adapts to treatment. Careful dose escalation under medical supervision helps minimise side effects and improves long-term tolerability.
As with all prescription medicines, there are rare but important risks, including pancreatitis, gallbladder disease and worsening diabetic retinopathy in susceptible individuals. This is why medical assessment and ongoing monitoring remain essential throughout treatment.
The Self London approach to medical weight loss
At Self London, we believe obesity should be managed like any other chronic medical condition, with evidence-based medicine, personalised care and realistic long-term planning.
The arrival of the Wegovy tablet in the UK is an exciting development because it provides patients with greater choice. Some people will prefer the convenience of a daily tablet, while others will continue to achieve better results with a weekly injection such as Wegovy or Mounjaro.
Rather than recommending one treatment for everyone, our clinicians assess each patient individually, considering medical history, lifestyle, previous weight loss attempts and long-term health goals. Medication is then combined with nutritional advice, exercise guidance and regular follow-up to help improve metabolic health and support sustainable weight loss.
The future of medical weight loss is becoming increasingly personalised. If you are considering the new Wegovy tablet, injectable Wegovy, or Mounjaro, expert clinical guidance can help you choose the treatment that is most likely to deliver safe, sustainable and lasting results.
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References
- MHRA. First GLP-1 tablet for weight loss approved in the UK (2026).
- OASIS 4 phase 3 oral semaglutide clinical trial data.
- Wilding JPH et al. STEP 1 Trial. New England Journal of Medicine. 2021.
- Jastreboff AM et al. SURMOUNT-1 Trial. New England Journal of Medicine. 2022.
- Lincoff AM et al. SELECT Trial. New England Journal of Medicine. 2023.
